Expansible and collapsible receptacle



W. M. FULTON BXPANSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTAGLE Filed Aug. 50. 1922 3 Shee'cs-Shee: 1

May 8, 1928.

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W. M. FULTON" EXPANSIBLE AND GOLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE Filed Aug'. 5o. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet- 2 hi non fox 35u WMM] WMM@ May S, 1928.

W. M. FULTON EXPANSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE Filed Aug. 3o. 1922 gi K L I' u'uejvloz Patentedl May 8, 1928.

UNITED sixaTEsp PATENT OFFICE.

WESTON M. FULTON, OF KNDXYILLE, TENESSEE, ASSIGNOR, BY IESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0. THE FULTON SYLPHQN COMPANY, GE XNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE,`A 60B- IPORATION OF DELAWARE.

XPANSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACL'E.

Application filed August 30, 19%2. Serial No. 585,295.

This invention relates to receptacles. whose volume maybe manually changedwithout permanently' deforming the walls thereof in order to discharge the contained substance,

and particularly to the class of receptacles for liquids employed by operatives for applying lubricating liquids to machinery.

lt has been proposed heretofore to provide receptacles from which the contained substance may be forced at the will of the operative, wherein the receptacle is provided with a thin sheet metal bottom which, when pressed, will be forced inwardly, thereby slightly' decreasing the volume of the receptacle and forcing the contained liquid or j other substance out through a suitably-positioned aperture or discharge spout. Devices of this character are open to objection owing to the small amountvot the substance, such as lubricating, oil, that can be forced out by one movement of the diaphragm bottom, while the repeated distortion of the thin metal bottom eventually results in a fracture adjacent the periphery thereof. It has also been proposed to provide` receptacles of this type with a pump arrangement, but the .latter is subject to leakage and `expensive to manufacture. Patent No. 762,300, it has further been-proposed to mount a corrugated collapsible and expansible vessel within a receptacle to the end that the volume 'of the latter may be varied by 'expanding and collapsing said vessel to force the contained substance'out when desired. This construction avoids the objections incident to the before-mentioned "devices but requires that the corrugated ves'- sell be secured to a member projecting laterally from the side walls.of the receptacle` 40 It is an objectl ofvthis' invention to provide a receptacle of the character referred to which avoids the objections incident to devices of the .first two typesmentioned and which possesses the advantages obtained b the use of-a collapsible and expansible wal and which is more durable, economical to manufacture and simple in construction.

-Experi ence has demonstrated that a corrugated expansible Aand collapsible wall, al- 60 though formed of relatively thin metal, is rigid against deformation from relatively rough usage, while a non-corrugated portion As disclosed in my U. S.'

of a lateral wall of a receptacle of the character 'referred to must be of greater thickness or so reinforced as to be suiiiciently rigid to withstand. rough usage and prevent undue deformation. Accordingly when the corrugated wall forms a part ofthe lateral wall of such a receptacle it may be made of thinner metal thanQthe uncorrugated` portion of said wall and still be capable of maintaining its form aganstthe rough usage to which devices of this character are commonly subjected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle with a body of any desired conformation -and having its lateral wall reduced in thickness adjacent the `base,

such reduced portion being corrugated to provide iiexibility and-.- preferably being formed integrally with j the upper rigid portion of the bod Another object of this invention is to provide a receptacle ofthe character referred to.

when desired with means supplemental to the elasticity inherent in the wall for returnin the collapsible portion to its uncollapse position from any collapsed osition, and, if desired, to provide means or limiting the extent of compression of4 said collapsible portion. j

A further object of this invention is to providei receptacle of the character referred to with valve means whereby escape .of the contained fluid or other substance is prevented when the'device isaccidentally or intentionally turned to other than -iti-:s upright position.

A-further Aobject of this invention is to provide a device of the type just characterlzed with means whereby the valve is automatically opened by collapse of the corrugated portion and also, preferably, automatically closed when said corrugated portion expands. 1

Another object of this inventionbis to provide areceptacl`e of the r`character referred to with'` means for reinforcing the corrugations of the corrugated portion whereby the same will be capable of withstanding exceptionally hard usage'.

Other objects-:will appear as tion of the inventionprheds.

' Stated broadly, the invention comprises a descripv receptacle including in its lateral wall a relatively rigid portion and a thinner corrugated metal portion preferably integral with said rigid portion and adapted to be manually collapsed to vary the volume of said receptacle, thereby forcing the contained liquid or other .substance out through a discharge opening in said receptacle.

The inventive idea is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, some 0f which, for purposes of illustration, have been shown on the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that these embodimentsv have been selected for the purpose of illustration only, and are not toA be construed as definitions of the limits of the invention, reference being'had to the appended claims for that purpose.

Referring to the drawings, wherein thel same reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures:`

Fig. l is a vertical section, taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2, of a receptacle embodying one form of the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the lreceptacle illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another embodiment of the inventive idea.

Fig. 4 is a detail view, partly in section, of the corrugated portion and strengthening rings of the receptacle illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail View illustrating the valve stem guide employed in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 are vertical sections of other embodiments of the present invention.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, 1 is areceptacle for fluid, or oiler such as is usually employed in lubricating machinery.4 rlhe upper portion of its lateral wall consists of a relatively rigid metal portion 2 while the `lower portion consists of a thinner, corrugated, flexible portion 3 formed integrally with upper portion 2. The lower end of the receptacle may be closed v in any suitable manner. as, for example, by means of a separate plate or by means of an integral portion of the metal forming the lateral Wall.

r In the preferred construction, a rigid plate 4 is secured to the lower end of the corrugated portion'by having a small portion 5 of the corrugated Wall 3 spun over the pe-v riphery of the.plate and the joint suitably. sealed, as by solder. If desired, plate 4 may have formed therein a circular bead 6 to in-V crease its strength and to vserve as a support on which the receptacle will rest when set in a vertical position.

Any suitable;means may be employed yto provide a discharge opening or spout. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, a flanged member 7 is suitably secured, as by solder, in an opening in rigid portion 2 of the receptacle. Threaded into member 7 is an eXteriorly threaded nut '8 provided with a knurled iange 9 and having rigidly attached thereto in any suitable Way a tapered discharge spout l0 of any suitable size and formed in rigidplate 4. Spring 11 preferi ably has its coils so spaced that when cor-- rugated portion 3 has been compressed near its elasticlimit, the coils thereof' will contact and vserve as a safety stop to prevent further collapsing of the corrugated portion. Sprin g 1l also serves to expand corrugated portion 3 from its collapsed position, and if desired,

spring 11 may be of such length and strength as to normally hold corrugated portion 3 expanded beyond its unstressed position, so that, in compressing corrugated portion 3 to eject the contained liquid or other substance, the collapsible portion of the Wall will have its range of collapse and expansion divided to a. greater or less extent on each side of its unstressed position, that is the position it would take if no force were applied to either expand or contract it. It is to be expressly understood however that spring 11 is not an` essential part of the invention, but' may be omitted and reliance placed on the inherent resilience of the corrugated portion of the wall to return said portion to expanded position.

In place of relying upon the coils of the spring 11 contacting `to prevent excessive collapse of the corrugated portion 3, said receptacle may be provided interiorly (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1) with a cylindrical wall 14, which is preferably perforated, and which will engage the movable end Wall of the receptacle and prevent excessive collapse of the same. Said cylindrical wall v14 may be mounted in position in any suitable Way, as by securing its end to collapse of the corrugated portion 3 may be entirely omitted.

The operation of the oiler is as follows The knurled nut 8 carrying spout 10 having been removed, oil or any other suitable Vsubstance is placed in the receptacle through the opening thus provilded,lafter which nut 8 is'threaded` back into position. When it is desired to eject the contained substance, the receptacle. is held so that pressure-can be exerted against end plate 4 and, upon forcing the latter toward the spout, the volurne of the receptacle vis decreased, thereby ejecting whatever quantity of the substance is required. Upon removal of pressure from plate 4, the resilience of corrugated portion 8, together with the spring 11, if employed,

causes the same to return to its normal po- 5 sition. Il too great pressure is exerted upon plate 4, the coils of spring 11 contact and thus prevent the further collapse of the corrugated portion, or where stop 14 is employed it serves the samepurpose. Bottom wall or plate 4 is preferably formed of relatively thick metal, but it is to be expressely understood that it may be made of thin, flexible metal if desired without departing from the spirit of this invention.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention which is particularly adapted for hard usage, such as an automobile oiler to be carried in an a'utomobile tool box. Experience has shown that automobile Oilers are usually thrown into the tool box and not only have tools thrown in on them at random, but, when the car is traveling over rough roads, these tools are jostled-about and thrown against the oiler, denting and damaging the same. The jolting of the car is moreover such that the oiler is usually thrown into a position where oil escapes from the spout. illustrated in Fig. 3 comprises a rigid wall portion 2, a thinner corrugated wall portion 3, an end plate 4,\and a spout-carrying'mem- ,ber 8 similar to that previously described. lnteriorly of the discharge uspout and adjacent to the lower end ,thereof is suitably Secured a valve seat 15 adapted to receive a ball valve 16 which carries a rod 17 that extends in both directions ,tro-m the ball valve. 7,.

rl`he upper portion 18 of rod 17 passes through the central aperture of a perforated ,guide member 19 secured inl any suitable manner to the interior of the n discharge spout 10, at a convenient distance vabove valve seat 15, extends approximately into contactwith the end plate 4 when the valve is on its seat and said end wall is in expanded position. Guide member 19 may be economically manufactured on a stamp-press by being. punched from sheetmetal with suitable dies. A spring 20, surrounding the upper portion 18 of rod 17, abuts at its upper end against the undersideof guide -member 19 and at its lower end against ballwalve 16 in such a manner that said spring tends to maintain valve 16 on its seat 15, thereby normally ,preventing the escape of Huid or other Substance contained in the receptacle. ings 21 are providedin `guide member 19 to permitthe substance contained'4 in the -receptacle to be readily ejected.`

If desired, the corrugated, flexible Wall portion 3` may be reenforced in any suitable manner inorder to increase the strength :thereof or decrease the wear encountered by the receptacle when carried in a tool box.

The construction y whilethe lower end of rod 17 p Preferably, wirerings 22 are expanded into the outer bends of .the-corrugations. Fig. 4 illustrates the method of inserting these rings inthe corrugations, which consists in collapsing them, as illustrated in the dotted line` position 22', so that they may be inserted inside of the corrugated wall, and then allowing them to expand into the corrugations which they are lintended to reenforce, so that, in their expanded position the ends thereof will abut as at 23 and prevent the collapse of the same due to pressure applied around the periphery thereof.

Instead of using rings 22 for reenforcing the corrugated wall portion, or in conjunction therewith, metal bands 24 may be employed in the manner described in my U. S. Patent 1,151,777, dated Aug. 31, 1915, but it is preferable that these bands be made thick and quite rigid, instead of resilient as dislclosed in the .above-mentioned patent.

Theoperation of this embodiment of the invention is vas follows:

rI'he knurled member 8, together with spout 10, are removed from flanged member 7 as previously described, the valve means being necessarily removed by the same operation. Any desired liquid or other suitable substance is inserted into the. receptacle and knurled member 8 is threaded back into position. In order to eject the contained substance, pressure is appliedto end plate 4, as by the operatives thumb, whereupon the corrugated portion 3 is collapsed and end plate 4, in contact with. the -lower end of rod 17, carries the rod upward and unseats ball valve 16 t0 allowthe substance to pass out through valve seat 15 and openings 21 in guide-member 19, rod 17 being guided in its upward movement .by guide member 19. When pressure is removed from plate 4, the resilienceof corrugated portion 3, together with the pressure exerted by spring 20 acting through rod 17, forces late 4 to assume its normal position, therey reestablishing the normal volume of the receptacle, and allowing valve 16 to engage valve seat 15. Regardless of the position the receptacle may assume, v'alve 16, held on its seat by means of spring 20, prevents escape'of the substance contained in the receptacle.

` While the rigid portion of the lateral wall of the receptacle is preferably made of thicker metal than the corrugated flexible portion, this is not essential, as the uncorruvgated portion maybe rendered rigid in any other suitable way. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the upper portion 2.0i the lateral wall may be made of the same thickness as the corrugated portion', and said uncorrugated as by spinning the upper portion 26 of said.

wall portion around the edge of the opening in said member 25 which receives the flanged member 7. rlhis construction possesses the advantage that the relatively thin wall 2, 3 may be composed of brass or copper, while. the thick reenforcingmember25 may be made. of steel, which is much less expensive, whereby the cost of materials employed may be. reduced. ylt`urtheimore, steel being stronger than brass or copper, the same amount of strength is secured with a less thickness and weight of material. wise the construction shown in Fig. 6 is substantially the same or may be the saine as shown in the previous figures.

In place of connecting the discharge spout with the body of the receptacle in the manner shown in Figs. l to G, any other suitable means for securing a discharge. spout in communication with the body of the Ore.- ceptacle may be employed. One suitable construction is illustrated in Fig. 7. wherein the upper portion of the body of the receptacle is reduced to a neck 27 in which are suitably fo-rmed threads 28 for engagement with the threads of a ferrule 29 having a perforated bottom 3() and an outwardly directed flange 31. A discharge spout 1() of any suitable form and size is suitably secured, as by solder, in the aperture of the perforated bottom portion 30 of said ferrule, and cooperating with the tlange. 31 of the said ferrule is a cap piece 32 also suitably secured, as by solder, to the spout l() and having its outer periphery spun or bent` around said flange, as shown at-33, to. retain a gasket 34 of leather or other suitable material for engagement with the upper portion of thel neck 27, to make a fluid-tight joint therewith when the ferrule 29 is screwed into said neck 27. The advantage possessed by a structure such as just described is that all of the parts' may be readily formed of sheet metal and the screw threads rolled into'the same.

Vhile I much prefer to make the .flexible corrugated portion 3 of the lateral wall of the receptacle integral with the rigid portion 2 of. said wall, it is within the contemplation of this invention to make the flexible corrugated portion separate from the rigid uncorrugated portion of the lateral wall and suitably attach the two portions together, as by soldering or brazing. This hasbeen illustratedA in Fig. 74 wherein the upper portion 2 is magie separate from the corrugated flexible portion 3 and the two sections suitably joined` at 35.` The end wall 4 in this arrangement may be provided as av separate plate as illustrated, but when the corrugated portion 3 1s made separate from the rigidportion 2 the end wall 4 may;

be read/ily` formed integral'with the corrul gated lateral wall. The rigid portion 2 of the lateral wall is preferably made of thicker material than the corrugated portion 3 as in Otherthe embodiments heretofore described so that, while a construction wherein the corrugated portion is made separate from the uncorrugated portion ot' the lateral wall does not possess all of the advantages ofthe preferred construction wherein these portions are made integral, a device of this character still possesses the advantage that the uncorrugated portion of the lateral-wall may form a continuation of and be made thicker' than the corrugated portion, and thereby possess the capacity ot' withstanding rough usage while saving in the weight and thickness of material in the corrugated flexible portion.

1t will therefore be perceived that a ref ceptacle constructed in conformity with the present invention possesses the advantage ot' durability, simplicity of construction, and

economy ot' manufacture, particularly Where the lateral wall is composed of relatively rigid and corrugated flexible portions which are integral. In the latter event the lateral wall can be manufactured from a single piece of material and thereby avoid the labor and material involved in making a soldered or mechanical joint where the two portions are connected. The integral construction also eliminates the danger of leakage at the-joint. Moreover, by making the uneorrugated portion of the lateral wall thicker than the flexible 'corrugated portion thereof, the former possesses a rigidity and capacity to withstand rough usage equal to that which is inherent in the corrugated portion, while the use of thinner material yin the corrugated portion not only saves weight and thickness of material, butfalso increases the flexibility of the same and thereby renders the device more easy of operation.

Where the uncorrugated portion of the lateral wall isinade integral with and of greater thickness thanlthe corrugated portion, the uncorrugatedportion is preferably merged gradually into thecorrugated portion` by gradually reducing the thickness of the wall as illustrated at 36 in Figs. 1 and l3. While not essential, this gradual decrease in the thickness eliminates the line of weakness that might otherwise exist were theie an abrupt change of thickness in the wal While the embodiments illustrated on the drawings y have beenV described with considerable particularity, it` isto be expressly understood that the invention is not restricted thereto as the same is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions sonie of which will now readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Whilel features of. construction have been illustrated only in conjunction with certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be expresslyunderstood that they may be employed if desired with other embodiments of lthe invention; thus the reenforcement of the bends of the corru ations illustrated in Fig. 3 may be employe in any of the otherembodiments illustrated; the use of an inner reenforcing member as shown in Fig. 6 may of the various parts, and certain features-- used without other features, without-der. 1 parting from the' spirit of this invention-LM Reference is therefore to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definitionolf thelimits of this invention.

' What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle comprising a body por-V tion having its lateral Wall reduced in thickness and corrugated adjacent the ibase there of, said corrugated portion having a closed end constituting the base of said receptacle upon which it normallyrests and a discharge-spout secured to said body "portion above said corrugated portion.

2. A receptacle comprisinoP a-body provided withvan integral lat-era `Wall which is of reduced thickness and corrugated adjacent the base thereof, and a dischargespout secured to said body.

3. A receptacle having a lateral vva'll comprising a rigid .Wall ortion and a. thinner corrugated wall portion integral With said rigid Wall portion.

4. A receptacle having integrally formed lateral Wall portions comprising a rigid.por-

tion and a thin corrugated portion, saidrigid portion being provided with a discharge opening.

5. A receptacle having integrally-formed, lateral Wall portionscomprising a rigid portion and a thinner corrugatedportion, said rigid portion being provided with a dis-v charge opening, and avplate secured to the end corrugation of said thin corrugated portion to form a closure for said receptacle.

6. A receptacle having lateral wall por- `tions .comprisinga rigid portion and a corrugated, collapsible portion .integral there with, .a discharge spout secured to said rigid portion, and means for limiting the extent of compression of said collapsible' portion.

7. A receptacle having lateral Wall portions comprising a rigid portion and a thinner corrugated, collapsible portion, a discharge spout secured to said rigid portion,

fand means cooperating with said corrugated,

collapsible portion for returning the same to uncollapsed position from any collapsed postion.

8. A receptacle having lateral wall portions comprlsing a rigid portion and a thin.- ner corrugated collapsible portion, having 4a closed end, a discharge spout secured to said lcorrugated portion to uncollapsed position 'from any collapsed position.

1.0. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a body having lateral Walls comprising a rigid portion and a thin corrugated portion, a discharge spout secured to said rigid lportion,.'a valve vseatecured in said spout, a valve;for closing' said scat, said -valve liaviiig'a stein extending in opposite directionsfroin said valve, a perforated member secured to said spout, and resilient mcans'positioned between said member and said valve vfor normally maintaining said valve in seated position. Y

11. In a `device of the class described, the combination of a body having a lateral wall comprising a rigid portion and a` thin corrugated portion, a ring in the outer bend of each corrugation of said corrugated portion, and discharge means secured to said rigid portion. f i

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body having a lateral wall comprising a rigid portion and a thinner corrugated portion, said coriugated portion having a closed end constituting, the base of said receptacle upon Whichit normally` rests, a reinforcing band secured to the outer bend of each corrugation of said..l corrugated portion, and discharge means secured to said rigid portion.

body comprising in its lateral wall a rela-A tively rigid portion and adjacent the base thereof a corrugated flexible portion integral with said rigid portion and adapted to be collapsed, a discharge spout through which the contained fluid may be discharged by collapse of said corrugated portion,'and means in said spout to prevent loss of the uid when said corrugated portion is not col'- lapsed.

14. body comprising in its lateral Wall, a relatively 'rigid port-ion and adjacent the base thereof a corrugated flexible portion integral with said rigid portion and adapted to be collapsed, a discharge spout through which the contained tfluid may be discharged by collapse of said corrugated hortion, a valve insaid spoutand means operable v'by the c ollapse of said cor-rugatedportion for opening said valve.

15. In a device of the class described,l a. body-comprising in its lateral Wall a relative- Ina device of the class described, a.v

llO

ly rigid portion and adjacent the base thereopened when said corrugated portion is colof a corrugated iexible portion integral With lapsed and means for closing said Valve and said rigid portion and adapted to be colsimultaneously expanding' said corrugated 10 lapsed, a discharge spout through which the portion.

5 contained fluid may be discharged by ool- In testimony whereof I have signed this lapse of said corrugated portion, a Valve n specification. said spout, means whereby said valve is WESTON M. FULTON. 

